Greg Oden’s NBA Comeback

Greg Oden is making a comeback to the NBA.
Oden, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, hasn’t played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009.
But he’s trying to make a comeback, and he recently worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Greg Oden’s NBA Career

Greg Oden was the number one pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but his career was derailed by injuries. He played in just 61 games over his first four seasons and then was out of the NBA for four years. Oden made a comeback this past season, playing in 23 games for the Portland Trail Blazers. Here’s a look at his NBA career.

Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers

In 2007, Greg Oden was drafted first overall in the NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Oden was considered a can’t-miss prospect, and was expected to have a long and successful NBA career. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned for Oden. He missed his entire rookie season due to injury, and then played in just 61 games over the next four seasons combined. In 2012, he was released by the Blazers, and his NBA career appeared to be over.

Oden attempted to make a comeback in 2013, signing with the Miami Heat. However, he appeared in just 23 games for the Heat before once again being sidelined by injury. He remained out of basketball for the next three years before finally announcing his retirement from the sport in 2017.

Injuries derail career

Injuries derailed what was supposed to be a very promising NBA career for Greg Oden. He was the Number 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft but injuries limited him to just 82 games over his first five seasons. He missed the entire 2012-2013 season and was out of the league for more than two years before making a comeback with the Miami Heat in 2014.

Oden averaged 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game during his NBA career.

Waived by the Trail Blazers

Greg Oden was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers first overall in the 2007 NBA draft. He injured his kneecap during a pre-season game, and missed the entire 2007–08 season as a result. The following season, he played61 games for the Trail Blazers. On March 15, 2009, he was diagnosed with a microfracture in his right knee and missed the rest of the season and playoffs.

In 2010, the Trail Blazers amnestied Oden, making him a free agent. He subsequently signed with the Miami Heat. However, he played in just 23 games over two injury-plagued seasons with the team. In 2014, he signed with the Jiangsu Dragons of China but was released after one game due to a wrist injury. The following year, he joined the Memphis Grizzlies for training camp but was later waived. In 2016, he made an unofficial comeback attempt with Xiehe Destroyer’s of NBL China D-League but later withdrew due to injury.

Greg Oden’s Comeback

Greg Oden, the former first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, is attempting an NBA comeback. Oden has not played in an NBA game since December 5, 2009 due to injuries, but is now healthy and wants to give it another shot. He has been working out with various NBA teams and is hopeful that he will be able to sign with a team soon.

Signed by the Miami Heat

On January 20, 2014, Oden signed with the Miami Heat. In his first official NBA game since December 5th, 2009, Oden played against the Washington Wizards on April 11, 2014. He played 9 minutes, scored 6 points and had 2 rebounds. After the game, teammate LeBron James said he was “very happy for Greg.” On April 14 against the Charlotte Hornets, Oden scored 10 points in 8 minutes of action in a 98–85 win.

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers on May 18, 2014, Oden made his playoff debut, playing 2 minutes and scoring 2 points. On June 1st, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Oden was on the court for Miami’s final possession with a chance to tie the game; however he did not attempt a shot and time expired as the Spurs went on to win 98–96 and take a 3–1 series lead. The Spurs went on to win the series in 5 games.

Works his way back from injuries

Greg Oden hasn’t played in an NBA game since December 5th, 2009. After being drafted 1st overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers, high expectations were put on the young center out of Ohio State. Unfortunately, almost immediately Oden wasbit by the injury bug, and has been fighting to return to form ever since.

After multiple microfracture surgeries on his right knee, as well as a Procedure to Repair a Torn Meniscus in his left knee, it looked bleak for Oden’s NBA career. However, he has been cleared to play by doctors and is currently unsigned.

Multiple teams have shown interest in signing Oden, including the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks. It is unknown when or where Greg Oden will sign, but it is certain that he will be making an NBA comeback very soon.

Contributes to the Heat’s NBA Finals run

Oden contributed to the Heat’s NBA Finals run in 2013. He played in nine games during the postseason, averaging 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 8.3 minutes per game. In the Finals, he appeared in two games and recorded two points, one rebound and two blocks in 10 minutes of play.

Greg Oden’s Future

Once the number one draft pick, Greg Oden, has had a long and difficult road to recovery from various injuries that have kept him from playing in the NBA for the past four years. While some might say his career is over, others believe that he still has a lot of potential. Let’s take a look at what Greg Oden’s future might hold.

An unrestricted free agent

Greg Oden is an unrestricted free agent, which means that he is free to sign with any team. There is no guarantee that he will be signed by an NBA team, but he has expressed interest in making a comeback. He has been working out and has been in contact with several teams.

Oden last played in the NBA in 2009, but he has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in 2007 and missed the entire 2007-08 season. He then missed the entire 2008-09 season due to a wrist injury. He made a comeback in 2009-10, but he only played in 21 games because of a knee injury.

Oden averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game during his career, but his injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential. If healthy, Oden could be a valuable contributor to an NBA team. However, it remains to be seen if any team will take a chance on him given his long history of injuries.

Still has a chance to resurrect his career

Oden last played in the NBA in the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat, but he hasn’t given up on his NBA dreams. In an interview with ESPN, Oden expressed his desire to make an NBA comeback and said he’s been working out five days a week in an effort to make it happen.

“I’m 27 years old. I’m still young,” Oden told ESPN. “I feel like I have a lot of basketball left in me.”

Oden was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, but he has battled injuries throughout his career. He’s played in just 105 career NBA games, averaging 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.